Best Campgrounds near Hiles, WI

Hiles, Wisconsin sits within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, offering a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping options. Pine Lake Campground, located directly in Hiles, provides full hookup sites and cabin accommodations for those seeking developed facilities. Several primitive dispersed sites dot the nearby lakes, including Woodbury Lake Campsite and Wolf Lake Campsite, where campers can enjoy waterfront settings without developed amenities. The region encompasses both reservation-required established campgrounds and free dispersed sites on public forest land, with most camping areas concentrated around the numerous small lakes characteristic of northern Wisconsin's forest landscape.

Camping seasons in the Hiles area generally run from May through mid-October, with many developed campgrounds closing by mid-September. "The site are adequate and nothing negative to report. Host was super friendly and came up to welcome me," noted one visitor about Pine Lake Campground in the national forest. Winter conditions make many forest roads impassable, while spring thaws often create muddy access issues on unpaved routes. Most dispersed sites lack potable water and toilets, requiring self-sufficiency for camping essentials. Cell service varies significantly throughout the forest, with many remote lake sites having limited or no coverage. Campfires are permitted at most sites but subject to seasonal restrictions during dry periods or high fire danger.

Waterfront access represents the primary draw for many campers in the Hiles region. Reviews consistently mention the quiet, remote nature of the forest campgrounds and dispersed sites. "This remote site has a sandy beach great for swimming or paddling. There is space for a trailer," described one camper about Woodbury Lake. Small lakes throughout the national forest provide opportunities for fishing, with several reviews mentioning bass and panfish catches. Sites vary considerably in size and privacy, with the national forest campgrounds typically offering more separation between campsites than private facilities. Visitors seeking solitude gravitate toward the dispersed sites on smaller lakes, while those wanting more amenities choose established campgrounds like Franklin Lake with its sandy beach and picnic areas or Hiles Pine Lake Campground with full hookups and shower facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Hiles, Wisconsin (186)

    1. Franklin Lake

    14 Reviews
    Three Lakes, WI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 479-2827

    $15 - $25 / night

    "I formally lived in northern Wisconsin and we would camp here quite often. Huge lake. Most sites are lake front with steps leading right down to your own private beach!"

    "My family has been coming to Franklin Lake for decades. It’s hands down our favorite campground in Wisconsin."

    2. Nicolet National Forest Pine Lake Campground

    2 Reviews
    Hiles, WI
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (715) 674-4481

    "One campsite near water, the rest are off water. Boat ramp outside of campground, but is in walking distance. Small beach for swimming with picnic table and BBQ in campground."

    "Small primitive campsites right on lake pine in a beautiful area. The site are adequate and nothing negative to report. Host was super friendly and came up to welcome me."

    3. Laurel Lake Campground β€” Chequamegon Nicolet NF

    3 Reviews
    Three Lakes, WI
    10 miles
    +1 (715) 479-2827

    $15 / night

    "The lake has clear water and a sandy bottom"

    "The campground has three spacious sites, while the Campground 1 in the lake has eight. A vault toilet and clean water well. The autumn weather is bright and fresh!"

    4. Woodbury Lake Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Hiles, WI
    7 miles

    "Tent spot by lake boat access."

    5. Hiles Pine Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Hiles, WI
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (715) 649-3319

    6. Luna White Deer Campground

    4 Reviews
    Three Lakes, WI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 479-2827

    $15 - $18 / night

    "We stayed at site 2 in the first loop on White Deer Lake. Site 7 on the water seemed like it would be a good site too, although there were steps on site 7."

    "Loved kayaking both lakes! Beautiful campground with a very nice swimming beach. Only draw back are the vault toilets. We always try to get a site away from the toilets."

    7. Wolf Lake Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Three Lakes, WI
    8 miles

    "The small lake belongs to a pair of loons that will share their fish and sandy beach. The parking area is adequate, I’ve seen small trailers set up here. Many hiking trails are nearby."

    "Seen two fire ring along the right shore of lake accessable by water."

    8. Scott Lake

    1 Review
    Hiles, WI
    5 miles

    "There is access to a small lake. Across the road is a nice boardwalk to another lake. The Wilderness Headwaters trail is also close."

    9. Holly Wood Hill Campground & Crandon Saloon Event Center

    2 Reviews
    Crandon, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 212-3308

    $30 - $60 / night

    10. The Harbor Campground

    1 Review
    Three Lakes, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 546-3520
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Recent Reviews near Hiles, WI

446 Reviews of 186 Hiles Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Horn Lake and Lincoln County Forest

    Beautiful dispersed spot

    Stunning, got here on a Monday night and no one was here. Sites are right on the water. Dirt road was fine for our older 29’ rv

  • Nancy May The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Luna White Deer Campground

    Two of the bigger campgrounds in the State Park

    The campgrounds with 30 plus sites are two of the bigger grounds in Chequamegon-Nicolet areas that look very well maintained. The facilities are currently at the end of the season closing maintenance (closed on October 15). "On foot" travels only when camping after that. And, in addition to a few dispersed camping lots available for a fee outside the two facilities, these will be one of my winter camps destinations.

  • Nancy May The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Laurel Lake Campground β€” Chequamegon Nicolet NF

    Another Excellent Camp-out at Campground 2 Laurel Lake

    Dark and quiet at night time. The site would be a perfect canoe landing, the water is within a few yards. The campground has three spacious sites, while the Campground 1 in the lake has eight. A vault toilet and clean water well. The autumn weather is bright and fresh!

  • Nancy May The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Franklin Lake

    Season's Best at Franklin Lake

    We have had an excellent camp-out this year here. Maybe because our site is only a yard away from the water, and with ample living space for multiple tents and a vehicle. A fire ring and a picnic table. A set of vault toilets nearby. We didn't expect to find flushing toilets in a campground anywhere, but, we have a choice here to drive up further and use the facility. The wood forest is nicely maintained. Falling off branches are taken care of off the roads right away. And, that's all we care about in enjoying the outdoors this year.

  • Nancy May The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Laurel Lake Campground β€” Chequamegon Nicolet NF

    Laurel Lake Campground

    We don't have any RVs, no RV's cleaning and dumping facility required. It's good enough with its regular and standard trash disposal site. The wood forest is nicely maintained. I have no fear of falling timbers or branches at all times. And, the nicest thing about the campground is the few square-footages of level and compacted square on each site, ready to spread your tent on it. It's great! πŸ‘

  • R
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Governor Thompson State Park Campground

    Beautiful boondocks!

    It's so quiet here. The campsites spread apart the campgrounds may be heavily booked, but it doesn't feel like it. There is swimming, boating (campsites are also available on the island), lots of hiking trails, and tons of waterfalls in the area. Thanks to the came hostess,Melody H, and the other park employees, the bathrooms and showers were impeccable. I've been camping in a tent for two weeks and I look forward to coming back next year.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Bagley Rapids NF Campground

    Sweet Campground, Small and Quiet

    Nice little campground in the Chequamegon National Forest. Cash only, FCFS. There’s not a lot of sites here, but it’s also pretty hidden away. I showed up on a Friday evening around 6:30pm and was still able to snag a spot on the river. Quite a few ticks here, make sure to bring some permethrin spray for your clothes and your dog. Tough fishing from the sites with a lot of overhanging tree cover, but there are a few fish around if you can get a cast in.

    T-Mobile signal is non-existent, Verizon had 1-2 bars of LTE which was enough to send out a few texts.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Franklin Lake

    Excellent sandy beach

    Private sites, great beach, beautiful buildings built by the CCC. There is even a small nature center. My family loves the nature trail that takes us through bogs and past maiden hair ferns. With a boat one can visit an island that once had a cabin. The best swimming is on a sandbar directly across from the beach.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Scott Lake

    Remote site on quiet lake

    The campsite is on a gravel road. There is access to a small lake. Across the road is a nice boardwalk to another lake. The Wilderness Headwaters trail is also close.


Guide to Hiles

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers nearly 1.5 million acres across northern Wisconsin, with Hiles positioned centrally within its eastern portion. Winter temperatures in this region regularly drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit, while summer camping season brings average highs in the mid-70s. Many forest service roads leading to remote campsites become impassable after heavy rainfall, with clay-based soils creating challenging conditions even for 4WD vehicles.

What to do

Swimming in clear lakes: Franklin Lake features a designated beach area with amenities for day use visitors. "The water is crystal clear and there's a beach that can be used if you don't have a lake site," notes a Franklin Lake visitor. The sandy bottom makes it ideal for families seeking clean swimming conditions.

Paddling small lakes: The small, interconnected lakes provide excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities. "I love this campsite. The small lake belongs to a pair of loons that will share their fish and sandy beach," writes a visitor about Wolf Lake Campsite, highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities while paddling.

Hiking forest trails: Several hiking trails wind through diverse ecosystems, including bogs and pine forests. "This campground has our favorite hiking trail. The sites are spacious with privacy and shade," mentions a Luna White Deer Campground visitor about the trail circling the lake.

Fishing from shore: Many campgrounds offer direct shoreline fishing access without requiring a boat. A visitor notes, "White Deer lake had a nice swimming beach area, the trail around the lake had many sandy access areas that my husband enjoyed some shoreline fishing. He caught a 9 inch bass and some panfish."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many national forest campgrounds offer secluded sites with natural buffers. "Private sites, great beach, beautiful buildings built by the CCC. There is even a small nature center," notes a Franklin Lake visitor, highlighting the historic Civilian Conservation Corps structures that remain.

Dark night skies: Limited light pollution creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. "The stars at night are some of the best I've seen with little light pollution up there," shares a camper at Franklin Lake. The remote location contributes to these pristine night sky conditions.

Lake access for tent campers: Many sites include direct water access with dedicated tent pads near shorelines. At Woodbury Lake Campsite, "Nice spot to camp can fit trailer in parking area. There are two picknick tables and fire ring. Tent spot by lake boat access."

Wildlife viewing: Loons, eagles, and deer are commonly spotted from campsites. "The small lake belongs to a pair of loons that will share their fish and sandy beach," notes a Wolf Lake visitor, highlighting the quieter nature of smaller lakes for wildlife observation.

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically across the forest with many campsites offering no service. "Cell service is horrible, you can get service kind of by the lake depending on your provider, but don't count on it," warns a camper at Franklin Lake.

Water sources: Many rustic sites require bringing drinking water. At Laurel Lake Campground, one camper notes, "We stop here regularly to refill water jugs. The sites are wooded and private. The lake has clear water and a sandy bottom."

Insect preparation: Biting insects can be particularly intense in early summer. "Mosquitos were present, but not the worst I've ever experienced, the biting flies were plentiful, but stayed away with the help of a thermacell," shares a Luna White Deer Campground visitor.

Forest road conditions: Access to remote campsites can deteriorate quickly after rainfall. A visitor to Wolf Lake noted, "Small campsite along paved road, fire ring and picnic table, wilderness toilet. Stayed two nights in September it was quiet fishing was so so."

Tips for camping with families

Beach selection: For younger children, seek out lakes with designated swimming areas. "The site was mostly gravel with nice fire ring and picnic table," notes a camper at Franklin Lake Campground, where the beach area provides safer water access than sites on steeper shorelines.

Nature programs: Some campgrounds offer educational programming during peak season. "My family loves the nature trail that takes us through bogs and past maiden hair ferns," shares a visitor about Franklin Lake's interpretive offerings.

Trail difficulty: Many lakeside trails offer flat, accessible hiking for families with young children. "The trail around the lake had many sandy access areas that my husband enjoyed some shoreline fishing," reports a Luna White Deer Campground visitor, indicating multiple access points suitable for breaks with children.

Site selection for tent camping: Look for sites with level, dedicated tent pads. "The nicest thing about the campground is the few square-footages of level and compacted square on each site, ready to spread your tent on it," notes a camper at Laurel Lake Campground.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many forest campgrounds have uneven sites requiring leveling blocks. At Hiles Pine Lake Campground, "Owners are great, campground is clean and quiet, nice showers, not really a kids campground more like a relaxing or fishing campground," indicating its suitability for adult-focused RV camping.

Dump station access: Limited dump stations means planning disposal needs. One RVer noted about Holly Wood Hill Campground, "Dump site is unlevel and leans away from hose hookup making it difficult to fully flush holding tanks. Driveway to get in and out of dump site is rough and quite tight for a camper longer than 35ft to maneuver around."

Reservation requirements: Private campgrounds often require advance bookings while dispersed sites are first-come, first-served. "Small primitive campsites right on lake pine in a beautiful area. The site are adequate and nothing negative to report," notes a visitor to Nicolet National Forest Pine Lake Campground.

Access for larger rigs: Forest roads often limit accessibility for longer RVs. A visitor to Woodbury Lake noted, "This remote site has space for a trailer," but many forest sites specify limitations for vehicles over 25 feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hiles, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hiles, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 186 campgrounds and RV parks near Hiles, WI and 17 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hiles, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hiles, WI is Franklin Lake with a 4.8-star rating from 14 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hiles, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Hiles, WI.